Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency
(AAT Deficiency; Alpha-1 Antiprotease Deficiency)
How to Say It: Al-fa-wun An-tee-TRIP-sin Dee-FISH-en-see
Definition
Alpha 1 anti-trypsin (AAT) deficiency is a rare genetic problem. It causes low levels of the protein AAT or stops it from working well. This can lead to lung and liver disease in children and adults.
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Causes TOP
AAT is made in the liver. A damaged gene stops the liver from making useful AAT. The faulty gene is passed from parents to children.
Risk Factors TOP
This problem is more common in people of Northern European and Iberian ancestry. It is also more common in people who have a parent who carries the faulty gene. The risk is higher in a person with both parents who carry the gene.
Symptoms TOP
Problems may start at any age, but they often appear in people who are 20 to 50 years of age. They may be:
- Feeling tired
- Problems breathing, such as during mild activity
- Wheezing
- Coughing up phlegm
AAT that builds up in the liver may cause:
- Tiredness
- Lack of hunger
- Weight loss
- Swelling in the legs or belly
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Vomiting blood
- Blood in stools
Rarely, a person may also have skin problems, such as hardened patches or red, painful lumps.
Diagnosis TOP
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This may be enough to suspect the diagnosis. You may be referred to a doctor who treats the lungs or liver.
AAT is diagnosed through these tests:
- Blood tests to measure AAT levels
- Genetic testing to find genetic change that causes AAT deficiency
Treatment TOP
The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms. Options to manage lung problems are:
- Augmentation therapy to deliver AAT to boost levels
- Inhaled bronchodilators and steroids to help open the airways and ease breathing
- Oxygen therapy to boost levels of oxygen in the body
- Flu and pneumococcal vaccines to lower the risk of lung infections
- Surgery to remove damaged areas of the lung
- A lung transplant
People with AAT deficiency should not smoke. They should also avoid being around others who smoke. It can make problems worse.
There are no methods to manage liver problems. Rarely, people with severe liver problems may need a liver transplant.
RESOURCES:
Alpha-1 Association
http://www.alpha1.org
American Lung Association
http://www.lung.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Liver Foundation
http://www.liver.ca
The Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca
REFERENCES:
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency. Accessed November 2, 2020.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. National Jewish Health website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 2, 2020.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The Merck Manual Professional Edition website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 2, 2020.
Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency (AAT). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/alpha-1-antitrypsin-aat-deficiency. Accessed November 2, 2020.
Sandhaus RA, Turino G, et al. The Diagnosis and Management of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in the Adult. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2016 Jun 6;3(3):668-682.
Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Kari Kassir, MD
Last Updated: 5/5/2021